Clarence Greenwood (stage name Citizen Cope) is an American songwriter, producer and performer.[1] His music is commonly described as a mix of blues, soul, folk, and rock. He has been touring professionally for ten years. Citizen Cope’s compositions have been recorded by artists as varied as Carlos Santana, Dido, Pharoahe Monch and Richie Havens. He currently records and produces for his own record label, Rainwater Recordings, which he founded in 2010 after deciding not to work with major labels any longer. He had previously been signed to Capitol, Arista, DreamWorks and RCA.[2]

Clarence Greenwood was initially the DJ for Washington DC based hip hop group Basehead. He was signed to Capitol Records in 1997.[3] In 2000, Citizen Cope signed with DreamWorks and released a self-titled album in 2002. Rolling Stone wrote, "...Cope melds hip-hop with folk, soul and blues...and 'feels' this combination deeply....Cope's uncommon chords and harmonies combine delicate dissonance with unexpected flashes of beauty..." And the Washington Post called him "the city’s most soulful export since Marvin Gaye.”[4]

Shortly afterwards, Arista Records pursued the songwriter, prompting Cope to buy his way out of his DreamWorks contract. In 2004 he released The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, which he also produced. Upon hearing it, Vibe magazine called it “flawless throughout,” noting that Cope “makes music that feeds your soul…this is one of those CDs you hear at a friend’s house and rush out to buy.”[citation needed]Every Waking Moment followed in 2006 (also self-produced), and debuted at #69 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2010, Cope decided to found and run his own record label, Rainwater Recordings. The move allowed him to exert full creative control over his music and career, free from the marketing entreaties of the major record labels he previously had been signed to.[3] He released The Rainwater LP that year, producing the entire album. The Rainwater LP was critically acclaimed[by whom?] and newfound fan Ellen DeGeneres invited him to perform “Healing Hands” in April 2010.

“Let the Drummer Kick” from his 2002 album Citizen Cope went R.I.A.A. gold disc status. Citizen Cope released his latest album, One Lovely Day on July 17, 2012.[5]

In a 2016 interview, Cope stated that he was working on two new studio albums, one of which would be acoustic.[6]

Citizen Cope's work has been recorded by a number of musicians. In 2002, Santana recorded Cope’s song, "Sideways," for their Shaman album. He performed "Sideways" in concert with Santana on Santana's 2003 European tour. Cope sang on and produced the track. Sheryl Crow asked to record the song with Citizen Cope in 2010 for her 100 Miles from Memphis album, and invited him to join her in concert on several occasions to perform it, including at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago on June 26, 2010. At the same festival, Eric Clapton brought Cope onstage to perform “Hands of the Saints” together. Corey Taylor also recorded a version of the song. Brett Dennen recorded a version of the song "Healing Hands" for The Voice Project Presents Home Recordings Volume 1 in 2012.

In 2008, he wrote and recorded "Burnin' Love" with Dido for her Safe Trip Home album. That same year, Richie Havens released his version of Cope's "Hurricane Waters" and the hip-hop artist Rhymefest recorded "Bullet," featuring Cope.